I already did the catchers, 2nd basemen, shortstops, 3rd basemen, outfielders and starters to target for 2009 fantasy baseball. I skipped the 1st basemen on purpose because I don’t think you should be taking a flier on 1st basemen. You need some anchors for your hitting. Then someone commented yesterday asking for the 1st basemen to target and the course of Razzball history was changed forever, like when Marty got into that DeLorean. I haven’t changed my mind that you shouldn’t be taking a flier on a 1st basemen, but sometimes things are out of your control or you need a corner man or a Utility guy. This is a supplement to the top 20 1st basemen of 2009 fantasy baseball. If you’re feeling especially industrious, click on the players name to read more about them or to see their 2009 projections. Anyway, here’s some 1st basemen to target for 2009 fantasy baseball:
Chris Duncan – Colby Rasmus has moved above him on the depth charts, but I think Duncan still gets 300 ABs and nears 20 HRs. Unless LaRussa doesn’t want anyone coaching his pitching staff. Dave Duncan, “Muahahahahahahaha…” Pause. Duncan, “And you know that!”
Mike Jacobs – He’ll probably hit .250 and batting in the Royals order will do him no favors, but he could hit 30 HRs and have one of those lucky BABIP years and end up hitting .275. Though I wouldn’t team him up with a Dunn, Krispie or Uggla-type.
Casey Kotchman – Kendry Morales minus 3 home runs.
Kendry Morales – Casey Kotchman plus 3 home runs. See how that worked.
James Loney – Is he that different than Conor Jackson? Rhetorical!
Paul Konerko – Konerko hit 9 HRs in the month of September last year. ZIPS has him for 25 HRs, hitting .269 in 502 ABs. That seems doable. He had a very unlucky 2008 with injuries and BABIP. He’s only 33; he just seems like a non-Latin 45.
Nick Swisher – I wouldn’t shy away from Swisher because of projected playing time. I think he takes the job from Nady when Nady’s exploited for not being what he was last year. The bigger issue with Swisher is he might hit .235.
Billy Butler – Bust can refer to Butler’s major league career thus far or his moobs. I haven’t talked that much about Butler thus far in 2009. Potential for 20 HRs and a .300 average. He’s crushing the ball so far in spring training. Exciting, huh? Yeah, he crushed the ball in spring training last year and ended up demoted to the minors on May 29th. He’s still very young so we shouldn’t write him off as a March-only hitter. (George Steinbrenner once referred to Dave Winfield as Mr. May because of his early season exploits. What’s someone called who only hits well in spring training? Mr. Grapefruit. He’s not just hot. He’s not just red hot. He’s ruby red hot!) For this year with Billy Butler, I think Mr. Grapefruit can carry his tart sweetness into the regular season and not turn sour.
